Being part of the wealth of information and opinions that is TFL, I bring before you yet another question : P

I hold CCW permits in several states, because at times I work in several states. Recently I've been looking at some armed guard gigs in CT...so I'll be getting my CT Blue Card soon.

Here's my problem...I need to choose one of my weapons to take the class with. I guess the Blue Card actually has my pistol's serial # on it, and THAT is the pistol I have to use on duty.

I have two pistols I could feasibly use for this...My Sig P228R (9mm), and my Glock 30 (.45 ACP).

My Glock is easily my preferred of the two...it's .45 ACP (which I prefer for working the areas I do), it has night sights (Trijicon HiDef).

I also have a TLR-1S that I can potentially use for both.

Seems obvious...except that the Glock is "technically" a Subcompact. I say "Technically" because side-by-side comparison with my buddy's Glock 23 shows negligible size difference other than width. The barrel is also 0.24" shorter in the 30.

I can't really afford a new pistol right now...the course is expensive enough as it is (so getting a Glock 21 is out of the question for now).

I've heard some instances of a Glock 30 being used as a duty sidearm...but these seem rare, likely due to the existence of the 21.

I believe the most notable instance is that Hickok45 reportedly used one as a reserve deputy (I don't know where) before switching to a weapon more compatible with the guy he was riding with.

I guess I'm just looking for opinions. Another factor is I have smaller hands, and the 30 is a perfect fit as opposed to a bigger firearm.

We had one of the guys on our PSD carry a G30 (his CCW) with G21 mags for spares for a couple months till he could save up and buy a fullsize gun more suited to duty work....worked fine while he carried it.

And, what, you're not supposed to use something that "technically" a subcompact.

Dimensions are actually, very close to a G19. I'd use the G30.

__________________
"As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

I'm not sure of the mag capacity of a G30, but "armed guard" sounds alot more serious than personal protection. Like the chance of multiple and well armed attackers could be higher than what one might ponder for personal SD.

@ checkmyswag - Put it this way...the PD's in the area just switched to .45's because they felt "undergunned" with 40's. Couple heavily armed gangs nearby... a gang shooting that occured about two months ago occured with a Glock 18, to give you an idea. It's not that I have a ballistic preference for the .45 so much as the general conception (intimidation, if you will). I think the G30 pointed at you looks a little more frightening that the P228, which could potentially be useful working security.

@bamaranger - the G30 has a capacity of 10 .45 ACP, vs the P228's 13 or 9mm. It's a pretty negligible difference (I never liked that small capacity for a 9mm....) and it's still more than a 1911!

Do what makes you feel comfortable. If you like the feel of the G30 and (more importantly), you can accurately shoot with it...then USE IT!

I owned a Glock 30 for a year and it shot very well. FYI, I traded my used G30SF with night sights for a brand new G27 evenly. You might be able to swing that for a G23 or G19 at a local gun show. It might be worth looking in to.

Either way, stay safe and good luck!

__________________
He’s the fellow to please-never mind all the rest,
For he’s with you clear to the end.
And you’ve passed your most dangerous, difficult test
If the man in the glass is your friend.

I didn't agree with their assessment, but there it is. As a matter of practice I try to use a weapon of the same caliber as the local PD...heck, one of the towns I work in uses the Glock 21, so I carry the 30 while I'm there so I can even use their mags in a true SHTF scenario.

As far as the muzzle diameter, idk if it's just the Glock vs Sig, but it's DAMN noticeable to me. Yeah, I'd be afraid of either, but something about that .45 barrel...

Put it this way...the PD's in the area just switched to .45's because they felt "undergunned" with 40's.

undergunned with .40? The step up is a long gun.

__________________
"As was the man of dust, so also are those who are of the dust, and as is the man of heaven, so also are those who are of heaven. Just as we have borne the image of the man of dust, we shall also bear the image of the man of heaven. "

A .45 will not give you any advantage over a .40 when a gang member is spraying an automatic weapon at you (though it wasn't a Glock 18). I would actually prefer a 9mm in that situation so that I would have more ammo at my disposal.

If the department actually felt undergunned with their P226s, then they should be smart and start issuing ARs as patrol rifles.

Trying to put myself in an armed guard mind set vs regular concealed carry mentality...I'd want the most rounds in my gun I could have within reason. If whatever the 45 holds is good enough for you quantity wise and you shoot them equally well and will practice equally...I'd get the 45 (especially since that sounds like what you really want). So take the caliber temporarily out of the equation.

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